Since 2021, the Ministry of Employment has addressed 165 labor complaints from migrant workers, resolving 159 of them, with two still under investigation and four pending with the Employment Relations Tribunal. Minister for Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations, Agni Deo Singh, provided this information in Parliament while responding to a question regarding the working conditions of foreign workers in Fiji.
Mr. Singh reported that the Ministry has successfully recovered $154,337.34 in unpaid wages for migrant workers. The Government is currently conducting a review aimed at expanding protections for foreign or migrant workers, with a focus on seafarers. He mentioned the development of a national labor mobility policy framework and strategy in partnership with the International Organization for Migration.
Additionally, Mr. Singh stated that the Government is reviewing the Immigration Act to enhance the work permit process and is committed to promoting decent, sustainable, and fair labor practices. He noted concerns from employers regarding discrepancies between the skill levels of workers and the certifications provided by recruitment agents.
Employers have expressed dissatisfaction over the mismatch in expected and actual skill levels, leading to redeployment of workers. Some workers have raised complaints about reduced wages following redeployment, resulting in referrals to the Human Rights Commission. Mr. Singh emphasized that the Ministry is actively addressing these complaints and working with the agents to verify the authenticity of the certifications presented.